chenista

Q4. In what way does Abraham show persistence? Why is persistence necessary in prayer? Have you ever experienced "praying through"? What was it like? Abraham intercedes for the righteous by: 1) Appealing to the promises the Lord as has made to those who remain righteous and steadfast. 2) Perserverance in righteousness during intercession reflects the true desire and intent of the heart. 3) The Lord delivers and protects those who are righteous and obedient. The two angels were as watchmen, sent to warn Lot of the coming judgement and to deliver him and his family. 4) It is by grace that we are delivered and protected. He portects those who are obedient. In praying through, we pray in confidence - we believe that we have received that which we pray for and if we are truly praying within the will of God - it will be so. It is done.

Q4. How can prayer change God's mind without conflicting with the doctrine of the Immutability of God? Can God answer a prayer for something outside of the scope of his will? God cannot and will not answer a prayer that is not within His will. There are reasons for everything and though we may not know what they are, God knows and we are not to lean upon our own understanding but to trust fully and faithfully in the Lord. God has a purpose and a plan: "the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indded can be" (Romans 8:7). God is the final authority, not human reasoning or planning. God does what he purposfully intends to do - there is never a change to God's purpose or intentions, he lives up to His promises. In I John 5:14 John said, "And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us." It's not when God comes to our will, but when we so pray that we come into conformity to his will. When we pray with a sincere desire in our heart, we can be assured that we will get that which we need, even when we don't know how to ask for it. We will get that which is in accordance with God's will. How do we know this? Because, first of all, the Holy Spirit causes us to pray. In both Romans 8:15 and Galatians 4:6 we are taught that he hath sent forth his spirit into our hearts crying "Abba Father." This is true of every true believer; every child of God. He causes us to pray is the idea, causes us to cry out to God as our Father. And then we note also that the Holy spirit leads us in our prayers. In Romans 3:26 this is verified. But let us first note verse 14 of Romans 8, "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." Then in verse 26, "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities; for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts, [verse 27] knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God." Therefore, it is not a change on the part of God when we pray. Rather we pray, and through the aid and help of the Spirit, who makes intercession for the saint, according to the will of God, we become conformed to the will of God. The change is in us, not in the immutable God of heaven.

Q3. How can a wrong understanding of determinism and predestination keep us from the kind of gutsy prayer that Moses prayed? What do you call a belief that our prayers make no difference to God's response? Determinism is placeing your own will and interest above that of the Father. Predestination means that we are all partakers of the inheritance if we meet the criteria required of salvation. Moses held God to his word because he knew the Word of God. He was in personal relationship with the Lord and he knew his place in both the will of God and within his place among the people as their leader. God imparted this to Moses through divine authority - and this gave Moses the authority to pray in such a way. He knew the will and intent of the Father, which was also his will - because he was in total surrender to the Lord.

Q2. What aspects of Moses' prayer of intercession should we emulate in our own prayers? Upon what logical grounds does Moses offer this bold appeal to God? What do you think it means to "pray the promises of God"? How does knowing the Bible help you get your prayers answered? How does this help our prayers be within God's will? 1) Moses first inquired unto the Lord of His original plans for bringing the children our of Egypt and how it would bring victory to Egypt and the gods that they worshipped. He appealed to first to the Lords intent. 2) Moses then asked God to turn from His wrath and to repent of His thoughts against His people, thus providing the foundation for a faithful God. 3) Moses iterated God's promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Israel - the servants of the Lord to multiply their seed and deliver them unto the land of inheritance forever. 4) The Lord repented of His evil thoughts. When we pray intercession, we must know the Word of God and the Will of God and be within His character, filled and led by the Holy Spirit to pray intercession. If we pray anything other than the will of God, we are practicing witchcraft in the name of God and this is using his name in vain and comitting adultry and idoltry as we are now lifting ourselves higher than the Lord. We betray the Lord - much like the kiss of Judas. If you do not know the promises of God and the will of God - do not pray intercession. There is an impartation that takes place during intercessory pleas to the Lord - you are partakers and receivers of the impartation. What you pray for other will be returned unto you - this is the will of the Father - so be careful of who and what you pray. Also be careful of those who you allow to lay hands upon you for the same impartation can take place - you want to be partakers of the promises throught the will of God - nothing else. Anything else prayed is witchcraft and like Aaron, you become a partaker.

The First Commandment given to Moses and the First Commandment given by Jesus was the same: Thou shalt love the love the Lord thy God with all thy mind, body, heart, and soul. Thou shalt have no other gods before thee. The children of Isreal committed spiritual adultry in their idolatry. They committed spiritual fornication by building an altar for the carving, worshipping, praising, singing, and dancing before their false idol. They were spiritual whoremongers when they offered burning offerings, peace offerings, and made merry. This mocked the Lord who had delivered them out of the land of Egypt (enslavement). Moses interceded on behalf the children just as Jesus intercedes for us today - he stood in their place and asked the Lord to forgive them - much as Aaron asked the same of Moses after Moses returned to the camp. If the Lord had not forgiven, Moses would have not forgiven. We must repent and ask for forgiveness. But most of all we must forgive others first, or we will not be forgiven - just as it was between the Lord and Moses and Moses and Aaron.

Q3. Why do we seek to be independent of asking anyone for help? Why do we seek to be independent of God? Why should we ask God to "give" us daily bread so long as we can earn a living for ourselves? We are called to be dependent only upon the Lord. If we are seeking independence from the Lord we are not a believer - we are deceiving ourselves and defiling the body. The bread we ask for is the measure of His provision for us. He is our provider. The Word is bread, without constant communication and reflection upon the Lord through His word, we cannot build relationship and therefore have shallow faith.

Q4. Why should we continually ask forgiveness? How can unforgiveness on our part block God's blessing? How can unforgiveness block God's forgiveness? Reference Matthew 7 Jam 4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth [it] not, to him it is sin. Rom 14:23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because [he eateth] not of faith: for whatsoever [is] not of faith is sin. We should ask for forgiveness whether we think we have sinned or not because if we say we have no sin, we lie - for anything not done in faith is sin. This means if we do one thing out of flesh and not out of faith, we have sinned. We have to be humble and admit we know nothing really of the purity of our works and the mind and heart of God - we must ask for forgiveness and forgive others as they also know not what they do! Just as Christ forgave.

Q2. In what sense are we asking that the Father's kingdom should come? Why are we asking for the Father's will to be done here on earth? How should this prayer affect our living? "Thy Kingdom come on earth as it is in Heaven" - means that we shall find refuge in the Lord and the Lord shall find His home within our hearts as well. This is that we no longer live of this world, we walk in faith as His kingdom is on earth as it is in Heaven, for all things are made new in Him. We pray that we are sanctified and purified in the blood of the Lamb and therefore made worthy. Our prayers build relationship and faith - this is our daily bread - He provides for us! We forgive and ask for forgiveness daily - this is the character of God and of Christ our Lord. Deliverance is an act of surrender where we open ourselves to receive what the Lord has to give us personally. We are not partakers of temptations of the flesh - but God will be there for us through all trials and tribulations. He is faithful and steadfast, and this we should also foster in our own lives. We are called to walk out our faith by fostering the same characteristics of God and Jeus in our selves. We forsake our own will when we take the Fathers. Many people who call themsevles Christians pray to the Father for their own will to be done, rather than the will of the Father simply because they do not know the will of the Father. You must know the will of the Father to pray for the will of Father, lest you pray in witchcraft which is what you do when you pray your own will rather than the will of the Father.

Q1. What about our lives and words "hallows" the name of our Father? What desecrates and besmirches it? How should we "hallow" the Father when we begin to pray? The original meaning of the Hebrew term "hallow" is: to consecrate, sanctify, prepare, dedicate, be hallowed, be holy, be sanctified, be separate a) (Qal) 1) to be set apart, be consecrated 2) to be hallowed 3) consecrated, tabooed (Niphal) 1) to show oneself sacred or majestic 2) to be honoured, be treated as sacred 3) to be holy c) (Piel) 1) to set apart as sacred, consecrate, dedicate 2) to observe as holy, keep sacred 3) to honour as sacred, hallow 4) to consecrate d) (Pual) 1) to be consecrated 2) consecrated, dedicated e) (Hiphil) 1) to set apart, devote, consecrate 2) to regard or treat as sacred or hallow 3) to consecrate f) (Hithpael) 1) to keep oneself apart or separate 2) to cause Himself to be hallowed (of God) 3) to be observed as holy 4) to consecrate oneself When we honor the Word of the Father, referring to it properly, and not using using it in vain by defiling it with culture, tradition, Pharisee, opinion, etc. we are hallowing it. We respect it with Fear and trembling. We defile the Lord and the Body of Christ when we use scriptures out of context, uphold doctrines, laws, cultures, traditions, etc., above the TRUE Word of the Bible in the intent and context that God intended! Our actions and words sometimes seem holy to us when in fact they are based upon relationship in scripture but rather on the ways that culture and tradition have referred to the scriptures in doctrines, etc. We know the truth when what we have heard or know is completely portable because the Word is meant for everyone, the Spirit is not a respector of persons - when we know or uphold can be preached anywhere independent of local culture and tradition, it is the truth. If it depends upon culture and tradition for it to be true - then it is not the Word of Truth as it is intended to be understood. The mysteries of the Lord are revealed to those who have understanding. Let those who are able to receive, receive. Let those who are able to hear, hear. This indicates that if you are not able due to culture, tradition, opinion, Pharisee, etc., the truth will not be revealed to you or through you - it doesn't matter if you call yourself a Christian. God knows. The only way to the truth is through personal relationship and revelation with the Lord. Faith comes by knowing and knowing through the Word.

I am Cheni and I just finished the Bible study on Revelations and ready to do more studies. I love Bible studies. I am a full-time student at Capella University Online majoring in Management and Leadership, a life-long learner, and apostle of God.

Q5. (Revelation 22:20) If you were convinced that Jesus Christ would return in your lifetime, how would it affect your life? What would you do differently than you do now? I am convinced that Jesus will return in my lifetime because my life is already eternal as He is my Lord and savior and by His victory at the cross, there is no death, but eternal life. My relationship grows more richly and deeply each day. I see the thumbprint of God in everything I do. I pray His will and His will alone-forsake all that is culture, tradition, and Pharisee for His ways are not "our" ways and our ways are not His ways. It walk in His ways alone. The ways of this world cannot affect me, I walk in faith and see how the enemy uses the ways of this world. I feel no pain, I know no defeat, I trust fully and wholely on the Lord. The steps of the righteous are ordered. I repent for sins known and unknown daily for anything not done in faith is sin and I've no way of possibly knowing all things as He does - and I acknowledge Him as the supreme being. I am blessed to be His servant and He calls me friend. His glory is everywhere - his mercy is faithful. The Lord is my husband, my provider, my protector, and through him I am benefactor in the inheritance. Blessed be the name of the Lord!

Q4. Three times in these two chapters, John stresses that those who continue to practice sin will not enter. Read Revelation 21:8, 27; 22:14-15; and 1 Corinthians 6:9-11. What things in these passages point to salvation by the grace of God rather than mere salvation by right living? In what way is holy living important to salvation? Why is holy living important to God? Rev 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. Rev 22:14 - 15 Blessed [are] they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without [are] dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. 1Cr 6:9 - 11 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. Those who do not and will not repent of their sins cannot be washed in the blood of the Lamb for it is only in such acts that we are made perfect and whole through Christ our Lord and the Spirit that dwells within us. Living righteously means knowing that anything not done in faith is sin - and we cannot possibly begin to comprehend that all things we do are in total faith, therefore as we are humble and unknowing, surrendering our own flesh and pride, we admit that we cannot possibly know the extent and width of our sins and therefore repent of the same knowing that our God knows our heart true. When we place our sins under the blood, we are washed and made new through Christ our Lord - there is no record kept of our sins when we repent. They are gone. Living righteously means repenting of our sins and acknowledging that we are nothing but in Christ we are made new. By our acts we cannot win salvation, it is only by faith - lest we boast.

Q3. (Revelation 21:9-27) John's vision of the Holy City is obviously strongly symbolic. But the Holy City pictures "the bride, the wife of the Lamb" (21:9-10; 21:2). What does John's vision of the Holy City tell us about the way that Jesus looks at his Church? The new Jersuleam is a precious, holy, and divine place that is all encompassing. The temple is the body which is represented by the new Jersuleam - which is the body of true believers. The foundations were laid by the twelve apostles - the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple - the body is the temple of the Lord and he dwells in us by the measure of our faith. This glory needs not a sun or moon for the glory itself is the light. Those who are saved shall walk in the light of it (the glory of Father and the Son in the Holy Spirit). All who enter bring glory and honor to it because God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ dwell within them and are partakers of the inheritance. Nothing will ever defile the body of Christ again!

Q2. Read Revelation 21:6; 22:17; and Isaiah 55:1-3. What does the "water of life" represent here and in 22:1? In what sense is it a "free gift" (22:17). In what ways should "the Spirit and the Bride" (22:17) extend that invitation in your community? Rev 21:6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. Rev 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. Rev 22:1 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. Isa 55:1-3 Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Wherefore do ye spend money for [that which is] not bread? and your labour for [that which] satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye [that which is] good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, [even] the sure mercies of David. Freely we recieve, freely we give. Of free will, we make a choice. When we have truly made the comittment, the Spriit lights a fire and we become thirsty for more, much really like an addict. We want more, we can't get enough. We move closer to God through reading his Word which ministers to us personally and through this we build a bond and relationship with Him. As we do this, we thirst and hunger for more of him in our lives. As we follow this, we forsake more and more of ourselves (surrendering the flesh - walking in spirit and in truth - in faith) and we trust in Him more and more as He reveals Himself to us in our daily lives. We are then witness and cannot turn back to our old. Therefore, all things are made new in our lives and the Spirit dwells within us as we move from one level glory to another. We do this to glorify God. It is total victory! We live this in community when we share in our joys and walk in His ways. Others see it, if they recognize it what it is, it can light a fire within them, if they do not, many may wonder and try to find this joy and peace as well. We open the doors even with little things that we do - smiling is witnessing when we do it for the Lord and not so that others will like us or think we are kind or something. Everything we do is for the Lord. Nothing is of us - the old is gone and the new becomes. This is the glory of His love in complete surrender and it is free.

Q1. (21:3-5) What is the significance of the fact that in heaven "God himself will be with them"? Why can the promises in 21:4 only be fulfilled in heaven? Which of these do you especially look forward to? We will live in Spiritual Eden with God - better than when Adam and Eve lived in the Garden of Eden and walked with God in the cool of the day because the old is passed away and behold, all things are made new. We will not know death, sorrow, or pain - His words are true and faithful. To him that thirsts of the fountain of water of life, he will give freely. To him that overcome shall inherit all things - The Lord shall be God and he shall be my son. It is a new heaven and earth for the old is passed away. New Jersulaem (for all things are made new) is the bride of Christ who has been preparing for the marriage supper of the Lamb. This is the tabernacle of the heart - where the Word is written, where God dwells with us and we are His people and He is our God. We can already have this when we are one with God it is true, there is no more sorry or pian and former things are passed away. We can walk in spiritual Eden today!

Q4. (20:12-15) Here is a serious question for each of us -- not one we should respond to with pat answers. What assurance do you have that your name is written in the Book of Life? In order to be written in the Book of Life: Cannot defile the body Cannot work abmonination Cannot make lies Cannot worship false idols Cannot take words of the book (Bible) away Cannot use scripture out of context (defling the body - using the Lords name in vain) Do unholy works as the dead are judged out of the things written in the books according to their works Exd 32:33 And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book. You must overcome and be clothed in white (sanctified, crucified with Jesus on the Cross) You must labor in the gospel with other fellow laborourers Assurance: "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God."

Q3. (20:11-12) Why is this awesome scene of judgment so frightening? Why do people seem to resist the idea of a final judgment? Those who lived before Christ are judged by their works. Those who lived after Christ are judged by the level of their understanding (faith). When the book is opened, if their name is not in the book (they do not acknowledge Jesus through faith and repent) they are cast inot the lake of fire - this is the second death. The second death is not applicable to those who of the first ressurection - the second death has no power - they are the priests of God and of Chirst and shall reign with him a thousand years. Death and hell are also cast into the lake of fire and whosoever was not found written in the book of life is cast into the lake of fire. People resist judgement because of pride -

Q2. (19:16) What are the implications of Christ's title: "King of Kings and Lord of lords" for your life? For the everyday world that surrounds you? It actually begins a few scriptures before 19:16, when it talks of flames of fire (insight), many crowns (overcomer), and the mystery of His name (God's mystery revealed only to the chosen), clothed in vesure dipped in blood (shield of faith, blood meaning cleansed - repentence and faithfulness), Word of God (Jesus is the Word incarnate as the Son of God), armies clothed in white linen (overcomers, cleansed in the blood - without fault and sin), sharp sword in his mouth (truth of the Word), rule with Rod (complete rulership): The only one that is worthy is the same who can open the seals, the one and only King sof King, Lord of Lords - the Lamb of the ultimate sacrifice, the truth of Love, faithfulness, and perserverence in the sacrifice. We claim the victory and share in the inheritance as one in the body of Christ - we don't have to live of this world, we are called out of this world and walk in faith - proclaiming the victory and fighting the principalities in high places who try to stop us.

Q1. (19:7-9) These verses draw together two themes from Scripture -- (1) God's people as his betrothed Bride and (2) the feast of all God's people in heaven. When you meditate on these themes, how are you both admonished and encouraged? We are called to have perfect and divine relationship with the Lord. We are made ready for the marriage supper by repentence, faithfulness, worship, perserverence, trust, all the qualities of God that we so urgently want to foster within ourselves and also those qualities of relationship with God that he shows to us: faithfulness (he is always there), steadfastness, He is always true to His word, He is consistent - these are the qualities of divine relationship and those qualities that we must nurture within ourselves and within our relationship with the Lord in order to have the divine union of the marriage supper. We are made ready through the trials and tribulations, cleansing and sanctification, through which we remain steadfast and forsake of our flesh, just as Jesus did. We walk more and more in faith and have less difficulties recognizing the ways in which the enemies uses the "things of this world" as a tool to progress his own cause - which is to knock us off of the righteous throne with our Father.

Q4. (18:4) We Christians are instructed to be "in the world" but not "of the world" (John 17:15-19). One interpretation has been to be hermits, ascetics, to distance ourselves from the political process, and to adopt stringent dress and behavior codes. Another interpretation is to be "salt and light" (Matthew 5:13-16) in the world so that we might bring about cleansing and change through God's spirit. Where do you think the balance lies? How and when should we fulfill the command, "Come out of her, my people, so that you will not share in her sins...."? Through walking in faith - we live in the world but we are not of this world. We are separated and whole, completed through the love of our Father and the sacrifice of Jesus. The ways of this world cannot corrupt us for we see with our spiritual eyes what is truly happening and we realize it is the work of the enemy and those who live of this world. We become forgiving for we wrestle not with flesh but with principalities in high places. We know who our enemy truly is and it is not the rudness of the person who is rude to us, but the enemy of this world who dwells within that person who is constantly trying to get us off the throne of victory and into the world where there is anger, etc. We are called to love one another. Jesus gave us two commandments: love the Father with all you mind, heart, body, and soul; and to love your neighbor as yourself. To do anything else, is to live of this world. We must constantly focus on Christ and His love - not what is happening in this world. It is not to say that we cannot fight for what is righteous, it means we fight with the courage and conviction of the Holy Spirit who dwells within us and it is no longer our fight, but the Lords and we cannot lose - the victory has already been won. The confusion begins when people begin to worship world systems such as certain politicians, forms of governments, economic systems, etc. They don't even know they are doing it - the bible says to pray for our leaders - you cannot always know who is leading who -

Q3. (15:3-4) We see singing and praise in heaven before the throne a number of times in Revelation (4:8, 11; 5:9-10, 12-13; 7:12; 11:17-18; 15:3-4; 19:1-3). What do you learn about appropriate worship from studying these songs? Do you recognize any contemporary songs that seem similar to these? Many of today's contemporary songs quote Biblical scriptures throughout their words and phrases. It is wonderful! Just like David was a man after God's own heart with his singing and dancing and worshipping. God delights in this - he delights when we are enjoy worshipping him in our own ways. In all things, give joy and worship unto the Lord. I praise the Lord when what I think is "bad" happens to me - I sing and worship Him and thank him that through the tribulations, he remains with me. We were made to glorify God through worship.

Q2. (14:10-11) Why is everlasting punishment so difficult for us Christians to accept? In what ways might eternal punishment be considered just punishment? It is indignation, it means that we have worshipped false idols and stepped outside of faith. the torment is that we receive no end to our guilt and shame, blame and blasphemy. It means we have been filled with spiritual pride and failed in humility and of repentence. The patience of the saints is that they keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. They who die (die to flesh and the ways of this world) in the Lord (the Lord lives within them with His words written upon their hearts) rest from their labours (because the labors are for God thereafter) and their works do follow them (freely you give, freely you receive - free will).

The 144,000 represent the 12,000 out of each of the tribes of Juda - those who are sealed. Those who are sealed received protection from the Lord during the times of tribulation. You become sealed by faith, perserverence, repentance, etc. I do not believe those in who receive the white robes are the same as 144,000. Those in robes under the altar represent those who are faithful, remain steadfast, and perserve. They are the overcomers who rule with Jesus over the tribes of Israel - they are given also a crown. Mat 19:28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. Luk 22:29 And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Revelations 13:10 reflects that "here is the patience and faith of the saints". The anitchrist utters blasthemies against God, His name, and tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven and the antichrist makes war with the saints, to overcome them, and power is given to hime over all kindreds, tongues, and nations - and all whose names are not written in the book of life of the lamb will worship the antichrist. And those who dwell on earth will be deceived by miracles and proclaim that the beast should be worshipped. These are the tools used by Satan to break our relationship with God and invade our worship to God. We must remain steadfast in our love and faith in God. He is our protector and our provider.

Q3. Revelation 12:11 could be considered a theme verse for the book. What does it mean? Who is overcome? In what sense do we have victory if we die in the process? What does the "blood of the Lamb" have to do with this? How does loving our lives prevent spiritual victory today? (See Luke 14:25-27; Matthew 10:37-39.) Satan was overcome at the cross. Many "Christians" do not realize that the victory has already been won and the reason the struggles and satan prevails today is because we focus on those struggles rather than giving the glory to the Lord and walking in spirit. When we travail over world systems, physical realities, strife, etc., we lose focus on the Lord and His work. We do not trust Him and think we have to do things ourselves. This is flesh - this is the enemy because it takes us outside of relationship and spirit. Satan was overcome by the blood of the lamb - when we walk in the world systems, we cannot have victory because we wrestle not with flesh and blood, but with principalities in high places. When we wrestle with flesh and blood, we are not focusing on the true enemy which is the principality in high places - satan and his fallen angels.